Ohio executes death penalty advocate

LUCASVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Ohio Tuesday executed Herman Ashworth for a 1996 murder and his last words were "A life for a life, let it be done and justice will be served."

The 32-year-old convicted killer had waived most of his appeals and said he deserved to die. He received a lethal injection of chemicals at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported.

In 1997, Ashworth pleaded guilty to beating 40-year-old Daniel Baker to death after the men became acquainted while drinking at a bar. Ashworth claimed Baker made unwelcome sexual advances and refused to stop when rebuffed, which triggered the beating in an alleyway with fists and a board.

A deputy coroner said Baker's injuries were consistent with a high-speed traffic accident or plane crash.

After the beating, Ashworth took $40 from Baker's wallet and returned to the bar.

Ashworth's adoptive parents were unable to visit with their son before the execution because damage from Hurricane Rita kept them from reaching their flight in Baton Rouge, USA Today reported.